Friday, June 20

Daily WHUFC News - 20th June 2014

Allardyce thrilled with Kouyate arrival
WHUFc.com
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce is delighted with his second signing
of the summer
19.06.2014

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce is thrilled to have completed the signing
of Senegal international Cheikhou Kouyate. Kouyate possesses substantial
UEFA Champions League and Europa League experience from his spell at
previous club Anderlecht and Big Sam is looking forward to using that in his
team. Standing 6'4 tall, Kouyate is sure to add presence to the Hammers
midfield as they look for improvement all over the pitch in 2014/15.
Allardyce said: "We're delighted to have secured what has been one of our
top targets so early in the pre-season. Kouyate is a dynamic midfielder,
goes box to box and has excellent skills with both feet as well as being
strong in the air. "If needed, he can fill in at centre back but his
strength will be what he can do in midfield and creating the chances we need
to attack. "He is only 24, so a good age and he was insistent that West Ham
was his choice of club, Valencia and a few other top clubs were after him,
but he wanted to come here and I am looking forward to him having a bright
future here at West Ham. "The importance of getting a top target so early is
vital to that player being here for the start of pre-season, especially
coming from abroad. He can get to know his team-mates at the beginning and
integrate himself and bond with the rest of the team before the season
begins, we get to know what he is about and he gets to know about us. "It
has been a long pursuit, with the Joint-Chairmen, myself and Martyn [Glover]
to get him, but we have got him and we look forward to seeing him in a West
Ham shirt in the new season."

That new season begins with a mouthwatering home game against Tottenham
Hotspur and Big Sam cannot wait to face the north Londoners. "What a game to
start the new Barclays Premier League campaign with - I am sure our fans are
rubbing their hands with delight as it is the fixture they look out for
every season. "And after beating them three times last season, the pressure
is on to do it again and in the first game of the season as well, so we will
have to be ready and keep the results going against them! "It is a tough
start, there is a real mix of teams we are playing in the first seven games,
in terms of sides who you look at being at the top, the middle and two newly
promoted sides in Burnley and Queens Park Rangers. It is quite unusual to
have so many local derbies in the first set of games, after Tottenham, we go
to Crystal Palace and then QPR, so it's tough but as we know, every game is
tough in the Premier League."

West Ham will be giving their all to prepare as well as they can for the new
season and will be the first team back to pre-season when they report back
to Chadwell Heath on 3 July. He added: "The work to prepare for the new
season is already in full swing - getting new players into our squad like we
have secured already in Mauro Zarate and Cheikhou Kouyate plus the many
other targets we are pursuing and then pre-season training, where we will be
getting the players prepared to be 100 per cent ready to go out there and
get as many points as we can on board early on. "What you have to bear in
mind is securing as many points at the start of the season is the backbone
for the squad. Last year, we had a good pre-season and then didn't get as
many points on board early on as we would have wanted and suffered for that,
even though some performances weren't reflected in the results, compared to
the season before when we had a stronger start. "With the injuries that we
then suffered, it means those points caught up with you a bit and you
struggle, so we want to go out as strong as we can from the start to
establish that confidence and get those points to help us reach the targets
we want to achieve. "There will be a lot of activity between now and the
start with new signings and like other clubs, we would want to have all if
not nearly all our transfer business completed for the season to start, but
as we all know, it doesn't happen like that and there will still be
additions being made to squads until the close of the transfer window at the
end of August, so it is a case of working hard with everything we have got
and then blending in with what we can add."

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Dicks appointed Ladies manager
WHUFC.com
Julian Dicks has been appointed as West Ham United Ladies first-team manager
19.06.2014

Julian Dicks has been appointed as West Ham United Ladies first-team
manager. The former Hammers left-back became a legend in Claret and Blue
during two highly successful playing spells that saw him score 65 goals in
326 appearances. Following his retirement, Dicks managed Essex non-league
clubs Wivenhoe Town and Grays Athletic and has recently been coaching
youngsters alongside former West Ham team-mate Ian Bishop in the United
States. A long-time supporter of the women's game, the 45-year-old is
relishing the opportunity to pass on his experience to West Ham's Ladies,
who compete in the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division. "I'm an
ambitious person and I took the job because I want to improve as a manager,"
said Dicks. "I enjoyed my management when I was at Grays and Wivenhoe and,
luckily enough, West Ham Ladies have given me another chance and hopefully I
can do good things for them. "I'm looking forward to my new challenge in
football and I can't wait to get started "Ladies football is coming on
strong. I've just come back from the States, where I was coaching ladies
football, and the sport out in the States is massive and hopefully over here
it will be the same. "It's taking off but it's taking a little bit longer
than it is in America."

West Ham Ladies chairman Ray Wood said the appointment of Dicks had been
down to the hard work and imagination of captain Stacey Little, who
initially approached the new manager through social media. "Myself and
Stacey have been working on this for quite a long time and, now Julian's
appointment has been confirmed, it's going to be massive for us," said Wood.
"We have been in the same division for quite a long time and we need to push
on. We just need the opportunity to get our name out there and put a mark on
the league and, with Julian in charge, we hope we can do just that. "Julian
joining us raises the profile of the club massively. He has been coaching
ladies football in the US and his presence will make us stronger and help us
to attract more and better players. "We are hoping to go from strength to
strength."

Captain Little herself cannot wait to start work under the new manager. "We
were on the way to our final away game of last season at Portsmouth and we
were talking about who would be our new manager," said the skipper. "I said
I would like to ask Julian Dicks to do it, then I tweeted saying 'Retweet if
you think Julian Dicks should do it' and I got more than 100 retweets,
including Julian himself. "I spoke to Julian and he said he had other
coaching commitments, but that he would be interested. I was taken aback
that he'd even think about it. "Now, it's all been confirmed and I can't
stop smiling!"

Dicks' first job as Ladies manager will be to oversee trials for senior
players, which will be held at the Hammers' Chadwell Heath Training Ground
on Sunday 22 June between 12-2pm. Please contact Ladies secretary Bill
Robinson by email at billdotrobinson@yahoo.co.uk to register for the trials
or for further information. The sessions take place on astro turf or grass
so please bring the appropriate footwear.

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West Ham United at the World Cup - '90
WHUFC.com
West Ham United had just one representative at the 1990 FIFA World Cup
finals in Italy
19.06.2014

Languishing in the Second Division, it was little surprise that West Ham
United had only one representative at the 1990 FIFA World Cup finals in
Italy. But there was some astonishment at Upton Park when goalkeeper Ludek
Miklosko headed off home to meet up with the Czechoslovakian squad driving a
sponsored Nissan Bluebird every mile of the way in aid of the children's
charity Barnardo's. However, Miklosko's long drive was not rewarded with any
action at Italia '90, as qualified mechanic Jan Stejskal was picked between
the sticks. As the Hammers custodian looked on, his fellow future Queens
Park Rangers stopper help the Czechoslovakians advance to the
quarter-finals, before losing to eventual winners, West Germany. The West
Germans also put paid to the chances of an England squad containing future
Hammers Peter Shilton and Stuart Pearce, with both suffering during the
Three Lions' infamous penalty shootout defeat in the semi-finals. A Republic
of Ireland side fielding ex-Hammer Ray Houghton saw off a Romanian squad
boasting future West Ham players Ilie Dumitrescu and Florin Raducioiu in
their own second round penalty shootout, only to lose to hosts Italy in the
last-eight. Another future West Ham player, midfielder John Harkes
(pictured), had little to celebrate as the United States were beaten in all
three of their Group A fixtures, including a 5-1 thrashing by Miklosko's
Czechoslovakia in Florence in their opening match.

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West Ham Ladies: Julian Dicks appointed as new manager
BBC.co.uk

Former West Ham United defender Julian Dicks has been appointed manager of
the West Ham Ladies team. Dicks, 45, made 326 appearances for the Hammers
in two spells between 1988 and 1999, scoring 65 goals. Bristol-born Dicks
has previously managed Eastern Counties League side Wivenhoe Town and Grays
Athletic when they were in the Conference Premier. "Looking forward to my
new challenge in football and can't wait to get started," Dicks wrote on
Twitter. West Ham Ladies play in the FA Women's Premier League South and
finished 10th out of 11 sides last season under previous manager Mark
Saunders on. During his career Dicks also played for Liverpool, Birmingham
City and Canvey Island.

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Ex-Hammer calls it a day
KUMb.com
Filed: Thursday, 19th June 2014
By: Staff Writer

Former West Ham United striker Yaniv Katan has announced his retirement from
football at the age of 34. The former Israeli international decided to hang
up his boots after being told by Maccabi Haifa boss Aleksandar Stanojevic
that he was not being offered a place in first team squad next season. Katan
was Alan Pardew's first signing of the 2006 January transfer window - a
£100,000 bargain - but made just two starts (eight appearances in total) for
West Ham before returning to Maccabi, his only other professional club, for
a nominal fee just four months later. Said to be unhappy with life in
England, Katan - who made his debut in a 2-1 FA Cup third round win at
Norwich as an 81st-minute replacement for Bobby Zamora - returned to his
homeland having failed to score a single goal for the Hammers.

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A good start is essential
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 19th June 2014
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce insists it is vital that West Ham don't repeat their poor
start to the season when the new 2014/15 Premier League campaign begins
kicks off in August. Last year the Hammers were only saved from relegation
on the penultimate weekend of the season after a dreadful start to the
campaign saw Allardyce's side amass just 15 points from the opening 19 games
of the season. This year, having been granted another relatively gentle
opening to the season, Allardyce is hoping to hit the ground running, with
new signings Mauro Zarate and Cheikou Kouyate settling in and preparing for
a full pre-season with the Hammers - something that also applies to Andy
Carroll, who missed the entire pre-season programme last summer due to
injury. "The work to prepare for the new season is already in full swing,"
Big Sam told whufc.com. We have already secured Mauro Zarate and Cheikhou
Kouyate plus there are many other targets we are pursuing. "[In] pre-season
training we will be getting the players prepared to be 100 per cent ready to
go out there and get as many points as we can on board early on. Securing as
many points at the start of the season is the backbone for the squad. "Last
year, we had a good pre-season and then didn't get as many points on board
early on as we would have wanted and suffered for that, even though some
performances weren't reflected in the results, compared to the season before
when we had a stronger start. "With the injuries that we then suffered, it
means those points caught up with you a bit and you struggle, so we want to
go out as strong as we can from the start to establish that confidence and
get those points to help us reach the targets we want to achieve."

Despite having already landed two big names for his squad, Allardyce
maintains that he expects several more to follow before the season kicks off
on 16th August against Tottenham at the Boleyn Ground. "There will be a lot
of activity between now and the start with new signings and like other
clubs, we would want to have all if not nearly all our transfer business
completed for the season to start" he said. "But, as we all know, it doesn't
happen like that and there will still be additions being made to squads
until the close of the transfer window at the end of August. It is a case of
working hard with everything we have got and then blending in with what we
can add."

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Cheikhou-maker
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 19th June 2014
By: Staff Writer

Sam Allardyce says he is delighted to have acquired the services of
defensive midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate. The Senegal international put pen to
paper on a four-year contract earlier this week and becomes Big Sam's second
signing of pre-seaon following the arrival of Argentinian forward Mauro
Zarate last month.
"We're delighted to have secured what has been one of our top targets so
early in the pre-season," Allardyce told whufc.com. "Kouyate goes box to box
and has excellent skills with both feet as well as being strong in the air.
If needed, he can also fill in at centre back. "He is only 24 and he was
insistent that West Ham was his choice of club. Valencia and a few other top
clubs were after him, but he wanted to come here and I am looking forward to
him having a bright future here."

Allardyce was especially pleased to have landed a second major signing so
early in the trasnfer window. "The importance of getting a top target so
early is vital to that player being here for the start of pre-season,
especially coming from abroad," he said. "He can get to know his team-mates
at the beginning and integrate himself and bond with the rest of the team
before the season begins, we get to know what he is about and he gets to
know about us. "It has been a long pursuit, with the Joint-Chairmen, myself
and Martyn [Glover] to get him, but we have got him and we look forward to
seeing him in a West Ham shirt in the new season."

Kouyate, who gave his first interview in French was equally delighted to be
at the West Ham - and insisted that Allardyce played a major part in his
decision to leave Anderlecht for the Premier League. "Sam went out of his
way, leaving his holiday for me, so he has done everything he could for me
to join the club," he revealed. "That I'm here now is thanks to the manager,
because he convinced me. "He, my advisers and agents helped me make the
right decision and said West Ham was the ideal club for me, because as a kid
I dreamed of playing in the Premier League and now it's here that my dream
has been realised."

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Julian Dicks makes West Ham return
KUMB.com
Filed: Thursday, 19th June 2014
By: Staff Writer

Hammers legend Julian Dicks has returned to the club - as manager of West
Ham Ladies. The appointment was confirmed this morning in a short statement.
Dicks, 45, said: "This is an exciting time to be involved in the women's
game, I am very proud to be associated with the club again. "I believe
whilst this is an opportunity for me, but also the club, together we can
take the women's squad further. I have experienced first-hand of how far the
woman's game has evolved; women's football is growing very quickly here in
the UK. "Whilst things were finalised early this morning [Thursday], I have
already had a couple of conversations with first team Captain Stacey Little
and I am really looking forward to meeting the rest of the squad in the
familiar claret and blue."

Chairman Ray Wood was naturally delighted at the news. "Julian is an ideal
candidate for us," he said. "With the team winning a trophy last season and
having so many talented players within the side, we wanted the right
candidate who could take things forward. "Julian is an ideal match for our
ambition."

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West Ham boss Sam Allardyce delighted to land Cheikhou Kouyate
Last Updated: 19/06/14 11:20am
SSN

West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce says he is thrilled to have signed top
target Cheikhou Kouyate so early in the season. Kouyate, who joined West Ham
for an undisclosed fee from Anderlecht on a four-year deal, becomes the
club's second summer signing following the arrival of Argentine striker
Mauro Zarate.
Allardyce told the club's website: "We're delighted to have secured what has
been one of our top targets so early in the pre-season. Kouyate is a dynamic
midfielder, goes box to box and has excellent skills with both feet as well
as being strong in the air. "If needed, he can fill in at centre back but
his strength will be what he can do in midfield and creating the chances we
need to attack. "He is only 24, so a good age and he was insistent that West
Ham was his choice of club. Valencia and a few other top clubs were after
him, but he wanted to come here and I am looking forward to him having a
bright future here at West Ham.
"The importance of getting a top target so early is vital to that player
being here for the start of pre-season, especially coming from abroad. He
can get to know his team-mates at the beginning and integrate himself and
bond with the rest of the team before the season begins, we get to know what
he is about and he gets to know about us. "It has been a long pursuit, with
the joint chairmen, myself and Martyn Glover to get him, but we have got him
and we look forward to seeing him in a West Ham shirt in the new season."

"We're delighted to have secured what has been one of our top targets so
early in the pre-season. Kouyate is a dynamic midfielder, goes box to box
and has excellent skills with both feet as well as being strong in the air."
West Ham will kick off the new season with a home game against Tottenham and
Allardyce is looking forward to facing Mauricio Pochettino's side. He
added: "What a game to start the new Barclays Premier League campaign with -
I am sure our fans are rubbing their hands with delight as it is the fixture
they look out for every season. "And after beating them three times last
season, the pressure is on to do it again and in the first game of the
season as well, so we will have to be ready and keep the results going
against them! "It is a tough start, there is a real mix of teams we are
playing in the first seven games, in terms of sides who you look at being at
the top, the middle and two newly promoted sides in Burnley and Queens Park
Rangers. "It is quite unusual to have so many local derbies in the first
set of games, after Tottenham, we go to Crystal Palace and then QPR, so it's
tough but as we know, every game is tough in the Premier League."

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West Ham plot badge change to go with their move to the Olympic Stadium in
2016
Jun 19, 2014 17:36 By Darren Lewis
David Sullivan wants the Hammers' badge to include the word 'London' to make
them more marketable but says it is the fans' call
The Mirror

West Ham United are set to become West Ham London - but only on the club's
badge. In a bid to increase their worldwide appeal, the Hammers are
consulting with fans in the hope they will approve the move. The idea has
emerged two years before the east Londoners' proposed switch from their
Upton Park home to the nearby Olympic Stadium. Joint-chairman David Sullivan
has dispelled fears of a name change for the club itself, but confirmed
plans to evolve the club crest. Sullivan told Mirror Sport: "As a name, it
is not going to happen [Hull have tried that and met with fan and FA
resistance - Ed]. On the badge, it is possible. "We are getting the old and
the new badge and say to supporters, 'You vote. You pick it. It's your call.
You tell us, going forward what badge you want.' "It's the supporters'
vote."

The process has already begun online, with fans invited to explore the
club's plans during open consultation sessions at the Hammers' Boleyn
Ground.
Sullivan added: "We believe that, commercially, it is better for the club to
have - on the logo, nothing else - West Ham United, London. It will help us
increase our revenue and increase our status. "A lot of people in Britain,
let alone the world, don't know that we are one of the top London clubs. To
me there are four top London clubs: Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and West
Ham. "Fulham were in Division Three for years. Crystal Palace are a yo-yo
club and Charlton have struggled in recent years. "Demographically, we are
the only club in east London and Essex - there is actually an argument that
we should put 'East London' on the badge, but we've gone for 'London'
because, internationally, we want people to know that we are a top London
club. "I wouldn't change the name of the club, because I am a
traditionalist. We will always be West Ham United FC. It will just be a big
'West Ham United' on the badge and a small 'London' underneath. "The final
version has been drawn up with consultation with our Supporters Advisory
Board. Fans will vote on it." Manchester United changed their badge in the
late 1990s, dropping the words 'football club', but are reportedly now
considering restoring them.

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West Ham are interested in Real Mallorca winger Marco Asensio despite being
offered Jefferson Montero from Monarcas Morelia
Hammers want to sign the 18-year-old who is extremely highly rated
By SIMON JONES
PUBLISHED: 22:32, 19 June 2014 | UPDATED: 22:41, 19 June 2014
Daily Mail

West Ham are interested in Real Mallorca's teenage winger Marco Asensio.
Manager Sam Allardyce has also been offered Ecuador winger Jefferson Montero
from Monarcas Morelia. However, 18-year-olld Asensio is seen as one of the
brightest young talents in Spain and has previously been watched by
Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

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West Ham and Spurs target 'undergoing medical' ahead of free transfer to
West Brom
17:39 19 June 2014
London24

Former England defender Joleon Lescott is undergoing a medical ahead of a
proposed move to West Brom, according to reports. New Albion head coach Alan
Irvine confirmed on Wednesday the midlands outfit were in negotiations over
signing Lescott, who is out of contract this summer after five years with
Manchester City, and it appears the deal is now moving closer. The
31-year-old now looks set to become Irvine's first recruit since the Scot's
appointment as Baggies boss at the weekend. He worked previously with
Lescott during his time on the coaching staff at Everton. Irvine was the
Toffees' assistant manager when the centre-back joined them in 2006 from
Wolves - the club Lescott began his career at and West Brom's derby rivals.
Lescott has been linked with other Barclays Premier League sides, including
West Ham, Tottenham, Hull and Stoke, but it seems being reunited with Irvine
is what lies ahead for the Birmingham-born player. He made only 10
top-flight appearances for City in their title-winning campaign last term.

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